SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2012
Since joining the gym this spring, I've been hearing the word, kettlebell, so I looked it up, and this is what I discovered:
Kettlebells where used in ancient Russia by men wanting to show their strength and endurance. It was after WWII that weight lifting became popular in Russia and other countries. In the 1960's power and strength contests took place in schools and universities using kettlebells of varying weights, but official rules and regulations differed among venues.
It wasn't until the 1985 that a kettlebell sport committee was formed, and national rules, regulations and weight categories were set up. Also in 1985, the first National Championship of USSA was help in Lipetsk, Russia.
In 2000, kettlebells were introduced in the United States, and in 2002 they were declared, the "Hot Weight of the Year" by Rolling Stone.
This brings us to today where there are classes at the gym dedicated to kettlebell workouts. My workout buddy, and daughter, has suggested, very strongly, that we attend one or more of these classes. This is the same workout buddy and daughter who talked me into attending my first yoga class. In yoga you are lifting and manipulating our own body weight. In a kettlebell class, you are working with added weight. Since I had trouble getting around for two or three days after yoga, adding additional weight to my workout is slightly intimidating.
Yesterday, we went and purchased our very own kettlebell, weighing in at a whopping 15 pounds.
A kettlebell is supposed to work all muscle groups, and most importantly, your core. So, last night I lifted and squatted with our new, shiny kettlebell, and this morning - - sore muscles.
I'm not sure how long it will be until I'm brave enough to attend a class without fear of dying, but I will just keep swinging our 15 pounder and see what happens.
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